With trading volumes continuing to dwindle, the nation’s stock markets again lost ground over the course of last week, despite some gaining sessions at mid-week.


The VN-Index lost 10.16 points on the week, closing on Friday at 428.67.


Daily trading volume on the HCM City Stock Exchange was 27.2 million shares, with a value of VND979.8 billion (US$54.4 million), down from the previous week’s VND1.14 trillion ($63.3 million). Total trading volume on the week reached 136.1 million shares, a decline of 14.15 per cent from the previous week, while the total value of the week’s trades, at VND4.9 trillion, represented a decline of 14.25 per cent.


Sacombank (STB) remained the most-active share, with 24 million traded, while newly-listed Vietinbank (CTG) shed 24 per cent of its value in just two trading sessions on the southern bourse, dropping from its listing price of VND50,000 to VND38,100 at Friday’s close.


On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index also ended the week off 2.2 points to 144.17. Total trading volume for the week stood at more than 62.1 million shares, a decline of 10.63 per cent from previous week, with a combined value of nearly VND2 trillion.


Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) led the northern bourse, with nearly 10 million shares traded.


Last week, foreign investors continued to be net buyers on both bourses. In HCM City, they bought over 13 million shares with a value of VND651.2 billion, while selling 8 million shares valued at VND348.2 billion. They also purchased nearly 3.2 million shares on the Ha Noi bourse, worth VND113.3 billion.


According to Vincom Securities Co analysts, falling trading volumes weren’t surprising due to the lack of traders on the market. Capital inflows have slowed, as investors heed warnings that they should watch for a clearer market trend before investing.


FPT Securities Co analysts predicted that the VN-Index would continue to fluctuate in a supportive zone ranging between 410-450 points, while the HNX-Index would range between 135-155 points.


They predicted a further market decline this week, but listed businesses with high earnings would be able to maintain current share values.


On the unlisted public securities market, the UPCoM-Index declined slightly by 1.12 per cent to close at 72.47 points last Friday.


vietnamnews